The attack targeting the Eastern Cape traditional leaders is in a rise, which prompted the Eastern Cape Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa), to express its anger and fear with the continuous attack on Abantwana begazi. Contralesa it’s deeply disturbed and outraged with the continuous attack with no arrest or prosecution have been made since the start of this taboo.
The outcry of Contralesa followed the recent attempted assassination of Nkosi Jonginceba Mjanyelwa, who is the traditional leader of amaNqabe clan and Treasurer of Mqanduli Branch of Contralesa on Sunday evening 13 June 2025, at his royal home.
It was reported that iNkosi Mjanyelwa was watching the address of the President on Sunday evening, when an intruder entered the house and shot him three times. Fortunately, Nkosi Mjanyelwa escaped death and he was rushed to hospital, where he is recuperating. By the time we were coming to print there was no arrest, nevertheless the investigation was underway.
The Provincial Chairman of Contralesa, Nkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana (Zanemvula!), condemned such cruel and callous act, which he mentioned that reminded them of brutal killings of traditional leaders at the Great Places (Kumakomkhulu, which demonstrates the need for traditional leaders, like public office bearers of other spheres of government, to be protected as well.
Meanwhile, the incident of nkosi Mjanyelwa followed that one of a female traditional leader who was killed in Mount Fletcher, years ago and up to now no one has been prosecuted, Nkosi Mjanyelwa of Aba Shawu clan in Bizana was killed in broad daylight and due to poor police investigation compounded by poor prosecution no one has been brought to justice to date as suspects were acquitted! As if that is not enough Nkosi: Nomntu Mditshwa who is the head of AmaGingqi clan at Mtweni Traditional Council in Lusikisiki was shot at on her way to the program of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders and no one has been prosecuted to date.
“We once more call upon our government to accelerate establishment of traditional policing in South Africa to assist South African Police Services to service our traditional communities in the same way Municipal Police service municipalities. We call upon Police to establish a Special Task Team to investigate the case and all other cases that have been closed undetected. Similarly, we call on the people to protect their traditional leaders and assist the police to find suspects to be prosecuted,” said nkosi Nonkonyana. He wished Nkosi Mjanyelwa a speedy recovery, as he is recuperating in hospital with a wish that the suspect would be arrested soon to face the might of the law.
